CHARGERS NOTES: Zebra has Jammer seeing red

SAN DIEGO -- Cornerback Quentin Jammer was steamed, and his
anger wasn't directed at the Colts.

Jammer was in the middle of the game's biggest play, when Colts
quarterback Peyton Manning clicked with Marvin Harrison for 14
yards and a first down to setup Adam Vinatieri's winning field
goal.

"He threw the damn ball behind him," Jammer said of Manning's
fourth-down toss off the play-action. "I was right on top of
(Harrison) until I got hit by the ref."

Jammer was bumped just enough that he was late getting to
Harrison. The result was the team's fourth loss in five games as it
remains two games behind the AFC West-leading Broncos.

But just like a referee was integral in the Chargers' defeat at
Denver, once again the stripes played taps on the Chargers' hopes
of winning.

"I didn't see him," Jammer said of the official. "When you're
focusing on your man, when you play man, you don't see the ref.
They need to get his (rear) up out of there. They need to do
something because you see that (stuff) happen a lot where the
referee comes down and somebody hits him."

Jammer was convinced it was no accident the route had Jammer
smacking into an unexpected obstacle.

"They are just running picks off the referee," Jammer said.
"It's a called play and it's bull. If you hit him it's nothing if
you run into him because you are looking at your man and they don't
do (anything) about it.

"It's the NFL and somebody has to do something about it. But I
don't know who can, but they need to go back to the drawing board
and take that (stuff) out. It's ridiculous."

Hester's back

Rookie fullback Jacob Hester got his most extensive playing time
of the season with starter Mike Tolbert out with a shoulder injury
in the second half. Hester, a third-round pick, caught three passes
for 16 yards and a touchdown.

"I wish it could have been in different circumstances," Hester
said of his fourth-quarter, 1-yard scoring catch. "It gave us some
good momentum, but in the end it just wasn't enough."

Since fumbling in the win over New England last month, Hester's
contributions have mostly been limited to special teams. The
Chargers surrendered a 2009 second-round pick to select Hester last
April.

"I've been patient and I hate for my good friend to go down for
me to be in there," Hester said. "But it was fun to get back in
there playing some offense."

Hey, a takeaway

When Jammer made a nifty interception in the first quarter off
an underthrown Manning pass, it represented the Chargers' first
takeaway in 42 days.

Not since Oct. 12 had the Chargers picked off a pass or
recovered a fumble. And it was Jammer who had the last
interception.

Jammer's two interceptions ties Antonio Cromartie for the team
lead. The Chargers led the league with 30 interceptions last year,
but have only seven with five games remaining this season.

"Jammer made a good play," Manning said.

Rumbling past Riggins

LaDainian Tomlinson continued his climb up the NFL's all-time
rushing list by collecting 84 yards on 21 carries. Tomlinson
secured the No. 14 spot, passing John Riggins at 11,352.

Next up for Tomlinson, who has 11,420 yards, is the Cardinals'
Edgerrin James at 11,992. James is the only remaining active player
ahead of Tomlinson.

Injury update

-- Tolbert injured his shoulder and didn't play in the fourth
quarter.